Production of Ethanol from Sugarcane Bagasse Using Cellulase Enzyme from Aspergillus niger Isolated in Jigawa State

Sugarcane cultivation in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria, generates substantial quantities of bagasse that are currently underutilised and disposed of through open burning. This study investigates the enzymatic saccharification of Jigawa sugarcane bagasse and subsequent fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce bioethanol. Bagasse was pretreated using dilute sulphuric acid at 121 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes to disrupt the lignocellulosic matrix, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase produced by Aspergillus niger isolated from compost soil in Dutse. Enzyme activity was quantified using the filter paper assay. Saccharification was conducted at 50 degrees Celsius and pH 4.8 for 72 hours, and the resulting glucose-rich hydrolysate was fermented at 30 degrees Celsius for 96 hours. Ethanol concentration in the fermentation broth was determined by gas chromatography. Results showed a cellulase activity of 18.6 FPU/mL, a saccharification efficiency of 71.3%, and an ethanol yield of 0.43 g per gram of fermentable sugar, approaching the theoretical maximum of 0.51 g/g. Distillation produced bioethanol at 73.4% purity, upgradeable to fuel grade through molecular sieve dehydration. The study demonstrates the technical feasibility of second-generation bioethanol production from Jigawa bagasse and supports the development of integrated biorefineries in North West Nigeria. Keywords: sugarcane bagasse, cellulase, enzymatic saccharification, bioethanol, Jigawa State